JCA steps up search for coach

Courtney Francis, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), said the organisation selection committee will be meeting next week to decide on the next head coach for the senior men’s team.

The post became vacant after Robert Haynes, who was appointed interim coach last December, left the position last month to take up the role as chairman of Cricket West Indies’ selection panel.

Francis told The Gleaner yesterday that the association has received two applications and these individuals would be interviewed by the Jamaica franchise panel in the coming days.

“We have received a couple applications, and the franchise boards meet next week Tuesday, and so when the franchise boards meet, then they will make a determination as to how the process will be and how the timeframe will go,” said Francis.

“This includes the interviews and the selection and so, therefore, they will be able to announce the coach soon thereafter, and so by early June, we should have a head coach in place,” Francis said.

Francis added that the association had established strict criteria for applicants and, therefore, the most suitable person would be selected for the job.

“All that we have had so far based on my information, is that they have been local applicants and based on the criteria that we have set out, they know that they would have to fit those criteria before they can apply,” said Francis.

“The president has said that ideally, he would prefer someone locally, and so it is important to have a local coach because you are building capacity, and so local people would understand the culture better than someone from overseas,” he said.

“We need to have a coach by the end of July for the pre-season preparation for the next year, which begins in August,” Francis said.

The Jamaica Scorpions had a very poor season in this year’s regional four-day competition as they finished fifth on the six-team table with three wins and seven defeats.